Bronzing machine



Apn'l z8, 192s.

B. F. UPHAM ET AL BROHZIHG mprimijz.

2 Sheetsheet 1 Filed June, e, 1922 y Patented Ani'. 28, 1925.

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BRONZNG TEAGHINE.

Application flledJune 8, 1822. Serial No. .'\'3,'78.v

To all 11i/om it may concern:

lle it lrnown that we, lBUirr F. UrLrAM and lnnni; (l. Stiuvnns, citizens of the United Statesj said Upham residing` at Brookline. in the county of Norfolk and State of ll/lassachusetts, and said Stevens residing).` at Coliasset, in the county of Plymouth and State of hllassachussetts, have invented cer- `tain new Bronzing Machines; and we hereby declare that the vfollowingI is a full, cleai'. and exact description thereof, reference being' had to the :iccoiiipanyingr drawings, which form part of this specification.

'lhis invention is an improvement in socalled bronzing machines, and its object is to provide a very simple machine by which sheets will be smoothed out and wrinkles removed; and may be carried througri the machine without the use of grippers; and by which the bronzing may be thoroughly ef- `footed.

`Another object is to provide bronziug machine wherein grippers for holding the sheets on the conveyor or carrier during the bronzinp; operation are not required.

Another object is to provide a simple, small, efficient bronzing` machine which can be used in connection with, or as an attachy ment to. small. printing presses.`

Another object of the invention is tol enable the sheet conveyor to be readily with- `drawn from the machine when desired, to permit ready access to the various belts for .adjustment or cleaning` thereof.

t further object is to provide a novel arrangement of endless iiolishing belts whereby a series of endless belts may be employed instead of a multiple of short belts. y

The invention includes novel means whereby the sheets, as they `are conveyed through the machine are smoothed out, and

novel moans whereby7 bronze powders or the like will be properly applied to the sheets during` the passage of the sheets through the machine. y L

rlhe accompanying drawings diagrammatically illustrate a bronzing machine con` stitutingl one embodimentof the invention, which we will explain with reference there to. and summarize in the claims the essentials of the invention. and novel features of construction and novel combinations `of and useful` improvements inv `shaft il joui'nalled in bearings on the side frames of the machine; cylinder 3 is mounted on a shaft 3a which may be journalled in bearings on the side frames, or as hereinafter explained.

Bronze `or other powder may be supplied to roll 9. by any suitable means. In the drawings a, hopperlld is shown labove the roll 2, and in the hopper is a roller 4C, mounted on a shaft t, adapted to supply the powder to the feed roll 2 by which it is fed onto the sheets, as they pass between the roll 2- and cylinder 3. l

The sheets are carried forward from the cylinder 3 by a suitable conveyor. In the Vmachine shown the conveyor is preferably an endless belt 5` which runs over the cylinder 3 and over a like cylinder 13 mounted on a shaft 13a; the sheets being` laidupon the upper side of the conveyor.` If desirech, the upper side of the conveyor may be-supported by an underlying platform supportedv y on the frame of the machine; this platform i prevents the yupper side of the conveyor sagging between the cylinders k and 1?.

Beneath the cylinder 3 is a suitable cleaning roll l5 mounted on a shaft 15a iournalled in bearings on the side frames of themachine; this roll 15 is adapted to remove any powder that may adhere to the conveyor; such powder being` deposited in a receptacle or hopper 15d. The powder is appliedto the upper side of a sheet as it passes under the feed roll 2 vand onto the upper run of the conveyor 5.

After passing the feed roll 2 and while lying on the upper side of the conveyor 5 the sheet is subjected to the action of a series of smoothing and rubbing and polishing belts or belt sections 6` and 7. The portions of said belts which engage the surface of Athe sheet are preferably arranged at obtuse angles to the line of travel of the sheet, and the sheet engaging parts of the belts or belt sections 6 and 7 are also preferably arranged at an obtuse angle to each other and to the median line of the conveyor. rllhe opposed belts or belt sections G and 7 preferably diverge from the center median line of the belt 5, or converge toward the median thereof as shown in Fig. 1.

By this arrangement of belts 6 and 7 the sheet is smoothed out or lightly rubbed outwardly from its center towards the opposite sides thereof as it moves under the belts G and 7, with the effect, in practice, that all irregularities and wrinkles in the sheet are smoothedout. Furthermore the powder applied to the sheets is rubbed and polisl'red by belts 6 and 7 in a most efficient manner.

By havingthe beltsl diverge, as shown in Fig'. 1, they will not interfere with the forward movement of the sheet, aud at the samel time act to not only prevent any wrinkles forming` in the sheet during the rubbing; operation, but also to smooth out any previously formed Wrinkles in the sheet.

In the construction shown all the belts or belt sections 6 are preferably integral parts of aV single endless belt; and all the belts or belt sections 7 also integral parts of a like single endless belt. The belt G runs over a series of pulleys Ga at one side of the machine, and a series of pulleys 6b at the center of the machine; while the belt 7 runs over a series of pulleys 7l at the opposite side of the machine and over pulleys 7" at the center of the machine. The pulleys 6b and 7b alternate and may be conveniently supported by, and loosely mounted upon, a. horizontal shaft 8 lying above the longitudinal median line of the conveyor and having,` its ends supported in cross bars 1b of the main frame. The shaft 8 may be vertically adjustable in any suitable manner; as by having its ends passed through vertical slots in the cross bars l'1 of the frame and fastened thereto by nuts 8a, as shown in Figure 3. 4

Each pulley 6 and 7 n may be, and preferably is, made vertically adjustable in any suitable way. As shoivn each pulley 6 is mounted on a spindle or stud on a block 6 attached to a side bar 1e of the main frame;

then to and over the pulley G nearest the feed roll; then diagonally across the top run of the conveyor to the second pulley 6a; then straight back to the second pulley 6b; then, diagonally back to the next pulley (la, and so on, until it reaches the last pulley 6a farthest removed from the feed roll, whence it passes up and over an idler puley t5" journaled on a stud attached to the frame of the machine and thence down to the drive pulley Gf.

Similarly, the endless belt 7 is driven from a pulley 71 on the shaft 9, such belt leading from the pulley 7D up over the pulley 7 nearest the feed roll, then over the pulley 7"-nearest the feed roll on shaft fl, then back to the nest pulley 7 a; from which it passes to and over an idler pulley and thence returns to the drive pulley 7D.

rllhe idler pulleys G0 and 7o are prefer'- ably mounted so as to be vertically adjustable so tbala either can be adjusted to teusion the related belt G or 7 as desired.

The shaft t) is the main shaft, and may he driven in any suitable manner. As

`shown it is provided with a drive pulley 9 which may be belted to any suitable driver. The feed roll 2 may be driven by pulleys 2b and cross belt 2C from a pulley 2f on shaft t). The conveyor 5 may be driven by means of a pulley 13" and belt 13C from a pulley 131 on shaft 9. The cleaning roll 15 may be driven by pulleys 15" and belt 15s from a pulley 15P on shaft 9,

)referably the bearings of shafts 3 and 13"L of the cylinders 3 and 13 are mounted on side bars 23a of a frame which can be slid horizontally out of or into the main frame so that when it is desired to clean the conveyor or the belts G and 7, the frame carrying the cylinders 3 and 13 can be drawn out from beneath the sets of horizontal loops of the belts 6 and 7.

In operation a sheet of paper is fed bctween the feed roller 2 and cylinder 3 onto the conveyor 5 and is supplied with powder from the hopper fl-d as it passes between the rollers 2 and the cylinder 3, the sheet having been previously printed or impressed soi that powder will adhere to the design impressed thereon. its the sheet is carried forward by the conveyor' it comes in contact with the outwardly moving` surfaces of the lower runs of the horizontal belts or loops of belts G and 7 above the conveyor, which smooth and straighten out the sheet by lightly rubbing opposite portions of vits surface in opposite directions. and also rub the powder upon the sheet and remove any surplus powder which might adhere thereto; and after passing` the belts the sheet is discharged from the conveyor over the cylinder 13 onto any suitable receiver. l'

The number of belts or loops of belts 6 lle me:agrari and Tin the opposite series of beltsmayl out ofone continuous belt itis obvious-that a plurality of separate belts might be employed; andl we consider one the equivalent i of the other in the broader aspects of the invention. It is obvious that ina-ny changes may be made in the foi-in, the arrangement and operation of parts within the scope of the ii'ivention, and we do `not consider it restricted `to the particularcombination or arrangement of parts shown; as the drawings merely diagrammetically and conventionally illustrate a machine, but will, with the foregoing;` explanation, enable others skilled in the art to readily adapt land use the invention.

These machines can be made quite small, and in small machines no `strippers are re- (piired to handle the sheets, although grippers can be employed in connection with the endless conveyor if desired. rlhe machines can be used for smoothing out crinlrlee sheets of paper when it is not desired to bronze the same; such bronsing` machines of small size canbe readily adapted to handle the sheets as they come from the press.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine of the character specified, a sheet conveyor, and belts arranged at obtuse angles to the line of movement of the sheets adapted tooperate upon the sheets as y they move forward on the conveyor.`

9'. In a machine of the character specified,

a sheet conveyor, and oppositely moving4 belts disposed at obtuse angles on opposite l sides of the line of movementJ of the sheets y adapted to simultaneously operate upon the sheets as they are moved by the conveyor and assist in forwarding` the sheets.`

` 3; In a machine as set forthin claim 2, the belts beingarranged at obtuse angles to the line of movement of the sheets onthe conveyor.l

4. In a bronzingr machine, a sheet conveyor, `means for applying' powder to the sheets and belts arranged at obtuse angles to the direction of movement of the conveyor and adapted to smooth out and rub the sheets as they are moved forward by the con veyor. y y

5. `In a bronzing machine, a sheet conveyor, means `for applying; powder to the sheets, oppositebelts arranged at obtuse an ejles to each other and at obtuse angles to the direction of movement of the conveyor,

adapted to smooth out and rub the sheets as they move forward on the conveyor.

G. In a machine of the character specified, a sheet conveyor, belts moving in opposite directions and disposed at opposite sides of the line of movement of the sheet, and arranged at obtuse angles to each otheryadaptf ed to simultaneously operate uponV the sheets as they are carried forward on the conveyor. 7. In a machine as set forth in claim 5, an rendless belt conveyor for the sheets.

8. `In a machine as set forth in claim 6, an endless belt for conveying the sheets.

9. In combination, an endless belt con! Veyor for sheets, means for applying powder to the sheets, opposite endless `belts arranged at obtuse angles to each other and at obtuse angles to the direction of movement of the conveyor.y adapted to smooth out the sheets and rub the bronze as the sheets are carried forward by the conveyor.

10. In a machine of the character specified, an endless belt conveyor for sheets., means for applying` powder 4to the sheets, opposed sets of substantially parallel belts moving in opposite directions and disposed at opposite sides of the longitudinal median line of the conveyor, the sets being arranged at obtuse angles to each other, said belts being adapted to simultaneously operate upon the sheets as they are carried forward on the conveyor. i

11. In a. machine ofthe character specified, a sheet conveyor, belts, guides for each belt disposed above the path of the sheet whereby each belt is caused to make a plurality of substantially parallel loops above the sheets, the portions of each belt at the underside of said loops being adapted to operate upon the sheets as they are moved by the conveyor, substantially as described.

12. In a machine as set forth in claim 11, means for applying powder to the sheets be` fore reaching` the belts.

13,111 a bronzinp,1 machine, a sheet conveyor, means for applying powder to the sheets., sets of opposed belts and guides for each belt disposed above thepath of the sheet-whereby each belt is caused to malte a plurality of substantially parallel loops above the sheets, the portions of each belt at the underside of. said loops being adapted to `operate upon the sheets as they are moved claim 13, the sheet conveyor comprising` an endless belt upon which the sheets are laid and carried past the bronze applying means and beneath the obtuseruns of the belts.

15. In a machine of the character specified, a sheet conveyor, an endless belt, guides for the belt disposed above the path of the sheet` whereby the belt is caused to make a plurality of substantially parallel loops above the conveyor, the underside vof eac-h loop lying at an obtuse angle to the line of movement of the sheets, andthe lower portions of the belt in each loop` thereof being adapted to operate upon the sheets as they are moved by the conveyor.

16. In a machine as set forth in claim 15,

the sheet conveyor comprising an endless belt upon which the sheets are laid and ear* l'ied beneath the obtuse runs of the belt.

17. In a bronzing,l machine, a sheet conveyor, means for applying powder to the sheets, a pair of endless belts, `guides for the belts disposed above the path of the sheet whereby each belt is caused to make a plurality of substantially parallel loops above the conveyor, the loops oit one belt being,Y a1.'- ranged at an obtuse angle to the like loops of the other belt, and the underside of eaeh such loop lying' at an obtuse angle to the line of movement of the sheets, and the lower portions of the belts on such loop thereof being adapted to operate upon the sheets as they are moved thereby on the Conveyor.

18. In a bronzing machine as set forth in claim 17, the sheet conveyor comprising an endless belt upon Which the sheets are laid and Carried past the powder applying' means, and beneath the obtuse runs of the belt.

l n testimony that We Claim the foregoi'ngil as our own, We affix our signatures.

BURT F. UPHAM, FRANK C. STEVENS. 

